Goodbye 2011...Hello 2012!
Just a little recap on our holidays, I would say this was one of the best we had since returning to CT in 2007. After losing my Mom in 2008 and then my 2nd miscarriage in 2010, our holidays hadn't been that great, but I am happy to report that this holiday was a welcomed change. We still did our usual Xmas Eve at my brother's house and it is always nice (too much food as usual). My niece who is going to be 20 in a few weeks was home from Montana toting her new dog Coal (11 months old black lab who is still growing, boy is he huge). She has a boyfriend who lives here (a fairly new relationship of less than 6 months) and I recently found out she is planning to move back permanently here in May. She says she missing family and is not interested in attending college out there anymore. I just hope she figures out what she wants to do because I was under the impression she really liked Montana - young adults these days, can't figure them out.
Xmas Day was at our house and we had E's sister and family over and it was so nice to do the dinner and have the room to have people come to the house. We had a wonderful dinner (ham and fixings) and then open gifts and laughed and chatted till 11 p.m. I saw how happy E was to have his sister around on the holidays. His sister had a falling out with her husband's sister's family last Xmas and since that time, things haven't been repaired fully between them and they would always spend the holidays with them. So, now they are making new traditions and spending more time with us. I am perfectly fine with this that in fact, they are coming to spend part of our summer vacation with us in Cape Cod in late May. We are renting a house for a week over Memorial and I was the one who suggested to E that we invite them to come for the first couple of days. They have never been to Cape Cod and they love the ocean so they were so excited when we asked them this past weekend.
To make the holidays even more special was the fact of my new job and how wonderful it has been to have been given time off at the holidays. My previous job wasn't as giving. The days I did work at my new job - were only 5 hour days and with my hours beginning at 7:30 a.m., I was out most days by 12:30-1 p.m....which was heaven! I am going to say this because I do truly believe that I have found my dream job! I can't have asked for a nicer environment and people around me. They truly understand work/life balance.
The 28th of Dec. was E and mine 7th anniversary and because of my new job and the holiday hours, we were able to spend the afternoon together and then go to dinner at a reasonable time. I also decided on that day, it would be a perfect time to finally get my engagement and wedding band repaired as well (long story short, back in Jan. 2011 when we were up in Mass at a model train show, my finger started to swell that morning and continue to get worse as the day went out that by late afternoon, E ended up cutting them off my finger...he did an excellent job - no stones damaged). To this day, I am not totally sure why my finger swelled except I was on meds at the time and had just gotten over a stomach virus as well. I was so scare for months to wear any rings on my fingers after that. So, it has taken me this long to go get them repaired and I thought what a better day to do it on then our anniversary.
So, to begin 2012 on a continuing good note, I have finally made an appt. with a NEW Ob/Gyn. With getting this new job and a change of insurance, I was also forced to as well. I already booked the appt for Jan. 10th and I am kind of excited to talk with her as her special focus is menopause. I am still trying hard to deal with the hot flashes and body aches the natural way but there are still there, some days more than others. I am now taking a vitamin and mineral supplement 4 times a day that is soy-based. I still haven't had a period though since late last July when I stopped the Premphase. I also have made an appt. to get my eyes checked this coming Saturday as well because I have been not liking how my contact lens are (dryness and splitting) and I have also noticed that tiny print is getting harder for me to read...UGH! For what I have read about menopause this too can be related.
I am happy to report that we are still going to the gym (we took the week off between Xmas and New Year's), but we are heading there today after work and have developed a schedule of going every other day which includes the weekends. Sad, to report though, I haven't lost any weight and this can be related to the menopause as well, but I am not giving up because I do feel much better after the workouts. I have to also start focusing on what goes into my mouth too now that the holidays are over so hopefully that will help too. I really would love to lose at least 15-20 pounds by that time of our vacation in late May so maybe with a goal in mind, I can get really motivated with my eating along with the workouts.
I am so looking forward to what 2012 will bring. The last 4 years have had a lot of heartbreak and sadness, but I am so happy to be able to say I am looking forward to the prospect of goods things ahead.
Xmas Day was at our house and we had E's sister and family over and it was so nice to do the dinner and have the room to have people come to the house. We had a wonderful dinner (ham and fixings) and then open gifts and laughed and chatted till 11 p.m. I saw how happy E was to have his sister around on the holidays. His sister had a falling out with her husband's sister's family last Xmas and since that time, things haven't been repaired fully between them and they would always spend the holidays with them. So, now they are making new traditions and spending more time with us. I am perfectly fine with this that in fact, they are coming to spend part of our summer vacation with us in Cape Cod in late May. We are renting a house for a week over Memorial and I was the one who suggested to E that we invite them to come for the first couple of days. They have never been to Cape Cod and they love the ocean so they were so excited when we asked them this past weekend.
To make the holidays even more special was the fact of my new job and how wonderful it has been to have been given time off at the holidays. My previous job wasn't as giving. The days I did work at my new job - were only 5 hour days and with my hours beginning at 7:30 a.m., I was out most days by 12:30-1 p.m....which was heaven! I am going to say this because I do truly believe that I have found my dream job! I can't have asked for a nicer environment and people around me. They truly understand work/life balance.
The 28th of Dec. was E and mine 7th anniversary and because of my new job and the holiday hours, we were able to spend the afternoon together and then go to dinner at a reasonable time. I also decided on that day, it would be a perfect time to finally get my engagement and wedding band repaired as well (long story short, back in Jan. 2011 when we were up in Mass at a model train show, my finger started to swell that morning and continue to get worse as the day went out that by late afternoon, E ended up cutting them off my finger...he did an excellent job - no stones damaged). To this day, I am not totally sure why my finger swelled except I was on meds at the time and had just gotten over a stomach virus as well. I was so scare for months to wear any rings on my fingers after that. So, it has taken me this long to go get them repaired and I thought what a better day to do it on then our anniversary.
So, to begin 2012 on a continuing good note, I have finally made an appt. with a NEW Ob/Gyn. With getting this new job and a change of insurance, I was also forced to as well. I already booked the appt for Jan. 10th and I am kind of excited to talk with her as her special focus is menopause. I am still trying hard to deal with the hot flashes and body aches the natural way but there are still there, some days more than others. I am now taking a vitamin and mineral supplement 4 times a day that is soy-based. I still haven't had a period though since late last July when I stopped the Premphase. I also have made an appt. to get my eyes checked this coming Saturday as well because I have been not liking how my contact lens are (dryness and splitting) and I have also noticed that tiny print is getting harder for me to read...UGH! For what I have read about menopause this too can be related.
I am happy to report that we are still going to the gym (we took the week off between Xmas and New Year's), but we are heading there today after work and have developed a schedule of going every other day which includes the weekends. Sad, to report though, I haven't lost any weight and this can be related to the menopause as well, but I am not giving up because I do feel much better after the workouts. I have to also start focusing on what goes into my mouth too now that the holidays are over so hopefully that will help too. I really would love to lose at least 15-20 pounds by that time of our vacation in late May so maybe with a goal in mind, I can get really motivated with my eating along with the workouts.
I am so looking forward to what 2012 will bring. The last 4 years have had a lot of heartbreak and sadness, but I am so happy to be able to say I am looking forward to the prospect of goods things ahead.
Hi Jen
ReplyDeleteNot sure if I've visited you before, but you're now bookmarked, and on my list! I'm also in my 40s (though not for too much longer argh!) and going through a lot of what you're dealing with now. I'm really glad though that you're looking positively to 2012.
I'm glad you enjoyed the holidays and your anniversary. Keep up with the workouts, whether you lose weight or not I'm sure they're still good for you.
ReplyDelete